Waterlooville bus driver cycling 1,000 miles to raise funds for bereaved families of transport workers

Andy Lynas, who drives for First Bus from the Hoeford Depot in Fareham, has decided to spend his two weeks of furlough to raise funds for families whose bus driver relatives have sadly died during the pandemic.

The 37-year-old, from Waterlooville, is cycling 1,000 miles on an exercise bike in his garden, which works out at around 15 miles an hour for four and a half hours each day.

Andy, who has been a bus driver for two years, said: ‘This is a shock to my system as I’m a bus driver so I don’t really exercise. It’s challenging, I’m pushing myself to the limit but I am doing it and that’s what I’m proud of more than anything.

‘I’m just doing this because there’s not really been much out there for these bus drivers. I’m quite shocked how high the number of deaths are in London, you don’t hear anything about it and it gets me a bit upset. They’re taking all these key workers to work during this.’

Unite, which represents over 80,000 bus drivers in the UK, has reported at least 25 bus workers in London have died because of Covid-19.

The union has called for temperature testing to be given to drivers at work, and is pushing for the £60,000 life assurance payment for families of UK bus workers to be extended.

Andy said: ‘I was going to do it for First Bus locally but I can gladly say we haven't lost any in our area as of yet.

‘I'm doing it for the London guys as we have buses there too and I have been so shocked by the number sadly passed there.

‘When lockdown is relaxed I'm going to personally deliver a cheque to Transport For London by getting there on buses from Portsmouth all the way to London.’

Father-of-four Andy is being cheered on by his young children and his wife, Hannah.

‘They keep me going and poke their head through the window and clap for me, it’s a nice boost of confidence,’ he said.

To support Andy’s cause, visit facebook.com/donate/509926836559607

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